Episodes

257
Oct. 28, 2025

#257 The Three Hidden Traps That Stall New CFOs Michael O’Reilly GrowCFO Executive Coach

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyOBP_QcsLI https://open.spotify.com/episode/3CrRco4GBJsnDQYaJSiPnT In this insightful episode, Kevin Appleby sits down with Michael O’Reilly, a seasoned executive coach and former CFO with a diverse career spanning global finance, digital transformation, and leadership development. Together, they explore “The Three Hidden Traps That Stall New CFOs” — a candid discussion about the unseen challenges finance leaders face as they transition into enterprise leadersh...
256
Oct. 20, 2025

#256 The CFO Guide to AI Hype: What To Do First Hannah Munro Managing Director, ITAS Solutions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg1knQ7TQ_E Artificial Intelligence continues to dominate finance discussions, but for many CFOs, the real challenge isn’t understanding the technology—it’s knowing where to start. In this episode, host Kevin Appleby welcomes back Hannah Munro, Managing Director of ITAS Solutions and host of the CFO 4.0 Podcast, to unpack the hype surrounding AI and offer clear, practical steps for finance leaders ready to take action. Hannah shares first-hand insights from her ...
255
Oct. 13, 2025

#255 From CFO to CEO: Lessons on Leadership Dave Osh Mentor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOotp0bZAdU https://open.spotify.com/episode/3CrRco4GBJsnDQYaJSiPnT In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, the transition from CFO to CEO is a journey that demands more than technical expertise—it requires a profound shift in mindset, leadership style, and strategic vision. In this episode, Dave Osh, a seasoned CFO, CEO, and mentor, joins host Kevin Appleby to share his unique path from fighter pilot to corporate leader, and the critical lessons learn...
254
Oct. 6, 2025

#254 Why “Fractional CFO” Isn’t What You Should Be Selling James Donovan Founder Nine Two Media

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4pb1S_bdgE https://open.spotify.com/episode/4QIAi3e2eHEp57xjU474IH In today’s competitive financial services landscape, simply offering “fractional CFO” services is no longer enough to stand out or win business. In this episode, James Donovan, Founder of Nine Two Media, joins host Kevin Appleby to challenge the conventional approach to selling CFO services. The conversation opens by emphasizing that business owners rarely seek out a “fractional CFO” by name; in...
253
Sept. 29, 2025

#253 Hard Work Beats Talent: Resilience Lessons for Modern CFOs Ademola Odewade CEO K-Dems Consulting Limited

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYLpc5IwiOU https://open.spotify.com/episode/6IMVXCScEJEc6NiajXTBWm In the ever-changing world of finance, resilience and determination have become indispensable qualities for modern CFOs. In this episode of the GrowCFO Podcast, Kevin Appleby speaks with Ademola Odewade, CEO of K-Dems Consulting Limited and host of the Diary of a CFO Podcast. Together, they explore why hard work consistently outperforms raw talent in the journey to leadership. The discussion hig...
252
Sept. 22, 2025

#252 A CFO’s Guide to True Business Valuation with Dan Eyman Managing Director of Meld Valuation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoM5IDJs7aQ&t=4s Business valuation is a critical responsibility for CFOs, especially as companies navigate funding rounds, acquisitions, or exits. In this episode, Dan Eyman, Managing Director of Meld Valuation, joins host Kevin Appleby to demystify the process and underscore why understanding true business value is essential for financial leaders. The conversation opens by highlighting the importance of rational, well-supported valuations and the pivotal role C...
251
Sept. 15, 2025

#251 Zero to £100M Revenue: Group CFO Georgia Wilson on Building Finance Fast

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUqhoJnH0oI https://open.spotify.com/episode/6n4Tb6ZkiJAoioEIQCC48p In this episode, Georgia Wilson, Member of GrowCFO and Former Group CFO at Together Group, shares her remarkable journey from Grenada to the helm of a high-growth business. The episode underscores the critical importance of building a robust finance function from the ground up, especially in a fast-scaling environment. Georgia’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and the power of mentorsh...
250
Sept. 8, 2025

#250 Nonprofit vs Corporate Finance: What Really Changes for CFOs? Baz Bedrossian Interim CFO COO, Business Consultant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL4WLMpEejI https://open.spotify.com/episode/5o6eC1cVuEOy3ebPDmOb0t The transition between nonprofit and corporate finance is a pivotal topic for CFOs, as each sector presents unique challenges and opportunities. In this episode, Baz Bedrossian—Interim CFO, COO, and Business Consultant—draws on his extensive experience in both worlds to illuminate the similarities and differences. Bedrossian emphasizes that while the core financial principles remain consistent, ...
249
Sept. 1, 2025

#249 Top 3 Challenges for Every New CFO Warren Wise GrowCFO Mentor & Fractional CFO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFaDrJtO-KA The transition into a CFO role is one of the most significant steps in a finance leader’s career, bringing both opportunity and challenge. In this episode, Warren Wise—GrowCFO Mentor and Fractional CFO—shares his journey from a 22-year tenure at a manufacturing company to his current role supporting multiple organizations. Wise’s experience highlights the importance of adaptability, staff support, and the ability to manage new responsibilities beyond ...
248
Aug. 25, 2025

#248 Why CFOs Must Balance Results with Legitimacy Paul Achleitner Former Deutsche Bank Chair & Goldman Sachs Partner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02hn26-tQBk In today’s complex business environment, CFOs are expected to deliver strong results while also maintaining the legitimacy and trust of their organizations. Paul Achleitner, former Deutsche Bank Chair and Goldman Sachs Partner, shares his unique perspective on the evolving demands of financial leadership. Achleitner emphasizes that while performance metrics remain crucial, the legitimacy dimension—how stakeholders perceive the organization’s actions a...
247
Aug. 18, 2025

#247 Why Tech Talent Can Supercharge Your Finance Team Jay Majeske Founder Stalliant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWB_AMZQZ4M In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, the integration of technology talent into finance teams is no longer a luxury but a necessity. This episode explores how leveraging technical expertise can drive operational efficiency, foster innovation, and future-proof financial operations. Jay Majeske, Founder of Stalliant, brings a wealth of experience to the discussion, sharing insights on how full-stack developers and data-driven approaches are tr...
246
Aug. 11, 2025

#246 The Nonprofit CFO Playbook: Strategy Stewardship and Scale Tinashe Chigede, Director of Finance and Administration, SOS Children’s Villages USA

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Email #246 The Nonprofit CFO Playbook: Strategy, Stewardship, and Scale Tinashe Chigede, Director of Finance and Administration, SOS Children’s Villages USA https://youtu.be/ofti6Vpcyko Your browser does not support the audio element. Catherine is a finance professional with over 20 years of experience in finance and M&A across various industries in the UK, Europe, and the US. She is currently the Team Training Lead at GrowCFO and pursuing a Masters degr...
245
Aug. 4, 2025

#245 Practical uses of AI in Finance Gilles Bonelli Founder CEO, SEE THE NEXT MOVE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=las4ugear3s In this episode of The GrowCFO Show, Kevin Appleby engages with Gilles Bonelli, Founder and CEO of SEE THE NEXT MOVE, to explore the practical applications of AI in finance beyond the hype. Gilles, with his extensive background in management consulting and digital transformation, established his startup to help finance leaders implement meaningful AI solutions. The conversation delves into how finance professionals can leverage AI effectively across v...
244
July 28, 2025

#244 The Strategic CFO in the Nonprofit World Olaide Olunloyo Head of Finance Jesus House

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Email #244 The Strategic CFO in the Nonprofit World Olaide Olunloyo, Head of Finance, Jesus House https://youtu.be/kn0jJKKF6Co Your browser does not support the audio element. In episode 244 of The GrowCFO Show, Kevin Appleby interviews Olaide Olunloyo, Head of Finance, Jesus House, about the strategic role of CFOs in nonprofit organizations. Olaide shares her extensive experience as the head of finance at Jesus House and its sister charity, Festival of...
243
July 21, 2025

#243 How To Get Your Team Finance Fit: Why Finance Must Evolve Now with Melanie Coeshott GrowCFO Facilitator

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Email #243 How To Get Your Team Finance Fit: Why Finance Must Evolve Now with Melanie Coeshott, GrowCFO Facilitator https://youtu.be/kST0q4krSxs Your browser does not support the audio element. In this insightful episode of The GrowCFO Show, host Kevin Appleby welcomes Melanie Coeshott, a GrowCFO Facilitator, to discuss the concept of “Finance Fit” – a framework designed to help finance teams prepare for their next evolutionary chapter. Melanie introduc...
242
July 14, 2025

#242 What Makes a Great CFO Mentor with Jen Burton Mentor GrowCFO

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Email #242 What Makes a Great CFO Mentor with Jen Burton, Mentor, GrowCFO https://youtu.be/xMVa9RiS_pI Your browser does not support the audio element. In this insightful episode of The GrowCFO Show, host Kevin Appleby interviews Jen Burton, a new mentor at GrowCFO and current Chief Financial Officer at RJE Business Interiors based in Indianapolis. Throughout their conversation, Jen shares her extensive experience spanning multiple industries including ...
241
July 7, 2025

#241 Why Risk Management Is Getting Harder with Chris Wright Managing Director Protiviti

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Email #241 Why Risk Management Is Getting Harder with Chris Wright, Managing Director, Protiviti https://youtu.be/LqF4t5IT0n8 Your browser does not support the audio element. In this episode of The GrowCFO Show, host Kevin Appleby speaks with Chris Wright, Managing Director at Protiviti and leader of their global finance transformation solution. The conversation explores Protiviti’s comprehensive risk survey, highlighting the key risks companies are fac...
240
June 30, 2025

#240 Scaling from Startup to 80+ Employees: CFO Lessons in Fast Growth with Melissa Hurrington CFO & VP of Operations Premier Claims

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dsa5QZtXo50 https://open.spotify.com/episode/2axThM3x9wuvBPGhK9wmza In this compelling episode of The GrowCFO Show, Kevin Appleby interviews Melissa Hurrington, CFO and VP of Operations at Premier Claims. The conversation explores the critical challenges and valuable lessons learned during Melissa’s seven-year journey scaling Premier Claims from a four-person startup to an organization with over 80 employees and a 44,000 square foot corporate headquarters. The ...
239
June 23, 2025

#239 How to Fund a Fast-Growing B2B SaaS Startup with Janelle Gorman CFO York IE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xp4amxAIoUM https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Qwxrp77mQV0CvmHThso7C In this insightful episode of The GrowCFO Show, host Kevin Appleby explores the critical topic of funding fast-growing B2B SaaS startups with Janelle Gorman, CFO at York IE. Securing appropriate funding remains one of the most significant challenges for SaaS founders, particularly in today’s fluctuating investment landscape. Understanding the criteria investors use and developing effective fundr...
238
June 16, 2025

#238 Why CFOs Who Ignore Excel & Automation Are Falling Behind with Richard Nero GrowCFO Facilitator

https://youtu.be/wIPL5EncKVg https://open.spotify.com/episode/0pwzX0ujbANt79RKKxEDMD In this insightful episode of the GrowCFO Show, Kevin Appleby sits down with Richard Nero, a Microsoft Excel MVP and GrowCFO Facilitator who specializes in finance systems consultancy. The conversation explores the critical importance of Excel proficiency and automation for modern finance leaders. As businesses increasingly rely on data-driven decision making, CFOs who fail to embrace these technological tools...
237
June 9, 2025

#237 The CFO’s Guide to Leading Sustainability in Business with Paula Kensington GrowCFO Facilitator

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paid3zTnC6U&t=22s https://open.spotify.com/episode/2ywfZ18iMIe7TSHdpaVsYU In this episode of The GrowCFO Show, host Kevin Appleby is joined by Paula Kensington, a seasoned finance professional from Australia with over 30 years of experience. Paula shares her journey from traditional accounting roles to becoming a passionate advocate for sustainability in business. With her unique perspective as both a former corporate CFO and now a fractional CFO, Paula offers v...
236
June 2, 2025

#236 Risk Is Changing. Is Your Board Keeping Up? with Patrick Dunne Experienced Chair and Board Member in Business & Social Enterprise

https://youtu.be/97Y65cAzzBs https://open.spotify.com/episode/52560DpsRV0fr9XStbziYw In this thought-provoking episode of The GrowCFO Show, Kevin Appleby engages with Patrick Dunne, an experienced Chair and Board Member in both business and social enterprise sectors, to explore the evolving landscape of risk management at the board level. The conversation examines how traditional approaches to risk governance may no longer be sufficient in today’s complex business environment, where non-financ...
235
May 26, 2025

#235 How AI Is Transforming Accounts Receivable with Ben Winter Co-Founder Stuut and Jeff Martini, CFO, Bishop Lifting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb12TtUmSJ0 https://open.spotify.com/episode/0mxBSzi1Gzvigoo9manusQ In this insightful episode of The GrowCFO Show, host Kevin Appleby explores how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing accounts receivable processes with guests Jeff Martini, CFO at Bishop Lifting, and Ben Winter, Co-Founder at Stuut. The conversation delves into the practical applications of AI in finance departments, particularly focusing on accounts receivable automation and the tangible ...
234
May 19, 2025

#234 Power BI Python & Copilot: What Finance Teams Need to Know with Dan Stockdale GrowCFO Facilitator

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ote8IemqGfs https://open.spotify.com/episode/4gs9QiDVheQ0U2ZnGm4QBU In this insightful episode, host Kevin Appleby welcomes back Dan Stockdale, a GrowCFO facilitator and financial modeling specialist. Dan shares his journey from management accountant to financial modeling expert across diverse industries including media, advertising, defense, and retail. Currently working as a contractor for London Business School and creating online courses for finance professi...